AMICUS FOR AMERICA
Amicus briefs for the public interest.
Everyday, billionaires, big corporations, and powerful special interests dispatch expensive lawyers to file briefs in important cases across the country, even when they are not a part of that case. ​
De Novo Law's Amicus for America project is trying to level the playing field. Our firm provides free or low-cost opportunities for organizations who serve working people and underrepresented groups to educate judges on how a decisions in an ongoing case can help or hurt everyday people. Learn more about amicus briefs below and find out if the Amicus for America program can help your organization advocate for the people it serves.
De Novo Law's "Amicus for America" project.
​What is the "Amicus for America" project?
Amicus for America is a public service initiative by De Novo Law dedicated to providing organizations that serve working and underrepresented people across the Pacific Northwest with free or low cost representation to file amicus briefs in significant legal cases.
Why is De Novo Law helping public service organizations file amicus briefs for free or at a severely reduced cost?
De Novo Law was founded because legal services cost so much that working people literally cannot afford justice. The same is true for many organizations that serve working people and underrepresented populations. Recognizing the profound impact that well-crafted amicus briefs can have on judicial decisions, our project seeks to help those organizations educate judges on how their decisions in important cases will impact ordinary people. To help ensure these groups can have their voices heard, we pro bono or low-cost representation to non-profit organizations, advocacy groups, and other entities with a vested interest in pivotal legal matters.
What are the goals of Amicus for America?
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Empower Voices: Ensure that diverse perspectives and expert insights are heard in courtrooms, contributing to well-rounded and informed judicial decisions.
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Promote Justice: Support cases that have the potential to advance civil rights, social justice, and the public interest.
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Provide Expertise: Leverage our legal expertise to assist organizations in drafting compelling and effective amicus briefs.
Who qualifies to receive help from Amicus for America?
If your group helps or works directly with working people or people who's points of view or life experiences are underrepresented in our court system, we might be able to help. Organizations eligible for our program include non-profits, advocacy groups, academic institutions, and other entities committed to promoting justice and public interest.
Providing judges with perspectives of regular people.
What is an "amicus brief?"
An amicus brief (or amicus curiae brief) is a legal document submitted to an appellate court, including the Supreme Court, by someone who is not a party to the case but has a strong interest in the matter. The term "amicus curiae" means "friend of the court" in Latin. These briefs provide additional information, arguments, or perspectives that the court might consider when making its decision
Why are amicus briefs important?
Amicus briefs allows these people and organizations to give the court information and legal analysis the the lawsuit's parties may not have provided in their own written court filings.
When are amicus briefs filed, and what courts accept them?
Amicus briefs are often filed in cases with broad public interest, such as civil rights issues, and can be submitted by various entities like trade associations, public interest groups, or academics. Most (but not all courts) accept amicus briefs, though a the court must give someone seeking to file an amicus brief permission to do so.
My organization wants to file an amicus brief. Do I need to hire a lawyer?
Yes. In most jurisdictions, an organization can only be represented by an attorney in court. Trying to file an amicus brief without an attorney could result in the brief being rejected by the court. It could also result in the court imposing penalties against the unrepresented organization.